This policy memorandum (PM) provides guidance to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officers in adjudicating Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er) or Special Immigrant, filed by a self-petitioning adopted child, when the adopted child has been battered or abused. Please click the attachment for more information on the memorandum
One of the ways a foreign national (alien) can become a permanent resident is through a permanent employment opportunity in the United States. There are five employment-based preference categories.
We filed a petition premium processing for a self-petitioning researcher. The petitioner had over 15 years of research experience in the nanotechnology field. He had an extraordinary research career which included 52 scholarly scientific articles with over 1,020 citations of his work. His publications were featured in numerous high impact international journals. In addition to his noteworthy research publications, the petitioner was a highly sought after reviewer for a multitude of prestigious, international scientific journals. He was also selected to an editorial board.
This policy memorandum (PM) provides guidance to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officers in adjudicating Form I - 360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er) or Special Immigrant , filed by a self - petitioning adopted child, when the adopted child has been battered or abused.
Please click on the attachment to read more.
For updates, see my blog page on Obama's Immigration Action.
Takeaway points for legal immigration from President Obama’s executive action:
1. USCIS is “about to” publish the final rule on H-4 work authorization. That will make it possible for certain spouses of H-1 holders to get work authorization.
2. Improving employment-based green card backlogs by:
a. Making visa issuance more efficient so no immigrant visas are wasted;
b. Providing for better AC21 rules and other ways to keep immigrant visas intact after a change of jobs. USCIS will clarify what constitutes “same or similar” job so that AC21 will not stop workers from getting promotions or even changing to related jobs within their field. USCIS must clear the path to career progression for green card applicants.
3. Expandingfurther the OPT time for STEM students, but creating tighter control on which universities/schools/degrees are eligible and ensure local workers are protected (Implement some sort of a “mini PERM?”).
4. Creating opportunities for foreign “inventors, researchers and founders of start-up” companies to come to the USA through an existing program called “National Interest Waiver.” Unfortunately for India, this is an EB-2 category program requiring several years of wait. But the following parole program will help:
a. Creating a parole (which is usually a temporary, but very quick measure and could eventually lead to a green card) program so that on a case-by-case bases, “inventors, researchers and founders of start-up” companies can be brought quickly into the USA where:
i.They have raised financing in the USA; OR
ii.Otherwise hold the promise of innovation and job creation through development of new technologies OR cutting edge research
5. Creating guidelines for exceptionally qualified or advanced degreed individuals to come to the USA through an existing program called “National Interest Waiver.” As noted, unfortunately for India, this is an EB-2 category program requiring several years of wait. But the parole option above could be helpful.
6. Providing clear guidance on L-1B program as to who can qualify.
We won a case for Alien of Extraordinary Ability a Mathematician holding a Doctorate of Mathematical Science, numerous “invited” publications and presentations as well as several prestigious international awards. We were able to provide evidence of extraordinary ability through letters of recommendation from leading mathematicians around the world. This applicant had strong support from the U.S. government and industry.
We won a case for Alien of Extraordinary Ability in environmental sciences with 9 publications, numerous “invited” committee memberships, a judge of the work of many other leading scientists and considered one of the leading experts in his field. We were able to provide evidence to show that his work was innovative and pioneering.
We won a case for Outstanding Researcher a Cellular and Molecular Biologist with 8 prestigious awards, professional society memberships and multiple letters of recommendation from leading scientists. We were able to provide evidence to show extensive contributions to the field of cancer research.
We won this case for an applicant with expertise in computer science utilizing his skills in the development of e-Government. His work was considered pioneering worldwide. We provided evidence that he was frequently called upon to present his work. He also served on numerous program committees.
This week, we have received an Oustanding Researcher approval in one day. I hope and wish we could see more of this lacrity in USCIS adjudications. Details of the case are here:
http://www.immigration.com/sample-ca...proved-one-day
We won an Alien of Extraordinary Ability case for the applicant having advanced degrees from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology, one of the most premier institutes in India. His research work was so highly regarded that he was awarded a two-year post-doctoral fellow at the Institute. This is a very high honor in that only “a select few” are considered for this position. The applicant had numerous books on civil engineering published and utilized by prestigious teaching institutes.
We first obtained an O1 for this applicant by identifying his talents and expertise to be a cut-above his colleagues with similar educational and work experience. This applicant received a prestigious international award which set him apart from other research scientists in his field. He was noted for ground-breaking work in drug addiction research. We obtained recommendation letters from world experts and they noted that this applicant was one of the few researchers in the field who had achieved the highest level of success and had become